Jennings Daily Newshttp://www.jenningsdailynews.net
Since 1896Thu, 08 Dec 2016 16:51:55 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.4Local gridiron standouts selected for I-10 Bowlhttp://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/local-gridiron-standouts-selected-for-i-10-bowl/
http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/local-gridiron-standouts-selected-for-i-10-bowl/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:51:55 +0000http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=40600A group of local high school football players will have the chance to extend their season by one more game when they take part in the inaugural I-10 Bowl to be held on December 17 at 2 p.m. from Sulphur High School. The game will pit Lafayette area all-stars against a team of all-stars based out of the Lake Charles area. Six local players will compete for the Lake Charles-area squad that will be coached by Washington-Marion Head Coach Freddie Harrison.

High School coaches nominated players for the game, and the list was dwindled down from there. Over 70 players’ names were submitted for the roster.

Jennings High School will send 4-star running back Travis Etienne Jr. and All-District punter Kendrick LeJeune to the game. Etienne rushed for 2,366 yards and 36 TD’s in leading the Bulldogs to the Quarterfinal Round of the LHSAA Class 3A Playoffs. Etienne recently narrowed his college choices down to Tennessee, Texas A&M and Oregon, although he has until February to make a final decision.

LeJeune served as the Bulldogs’ quarterback where he amassed over 1,300 yards of total offense through the air and on the ground. But it was Lejeune’s attributes as a punter that earned him a spot on the Lake Charles roster. The senior averaged over 41 yards per kick for the Bulldogs, and landed 5 punts inside the 10-yard line.

Welsh linebacker and McNeese commit Woochie Gray was also named to the team after earning district 4-2A Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second season in a row. Gray was also named the Class 2A All-State Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. Gray, who missed three games at the beginning of the 2016 season due to knee surgery, still managed to amass 78 total tackles in 9 games. Gray also served time in the Greyhound backfield on offense. In 2015, Gray accumulated 140 total tackles in leading Welsh to the Class 2A semi-finals.

Kinder placed two players on the squad as well in running back Taylor Johnson and offensive lineman Colby Oliver. Johnson was named last year’s Class 2A state title game MVP, and finished as the school’s all-time leading rusher in 2016. Oliver is a three-time 4-2A All-District selection and anchored an offensive line that averaged over 300 yards per contest over the last three seasons. Both Oliver and Johnson earned two state championship rings while playing for Kinder Head Coach Brett Fuselier.

Other members of the squad include quarterbacks Gavin Nettles of Barbe, Byron Walker of Sulphur and Will Smith of DeQuincy. Etienne and Johnson will join J’Cobi Skinner of Sulphur and Kirkland Banks of Barbe in the backfield. The receiving corps is comprised of Barbe’s Nate Briscoe, LaGrange’s Devin Jack and Iowa’s Andre Sam. The offensive line is made up of Oliver, Aaren LeMelle of Washington-Marion, Wasey Crain of South Beauregard, Brennon Broussard of Sulphur, Jacob Dudley of Sulphur and Tyler Blank of Barbe.

On the defensive side, defensive lineman are Myles Simien of Sam Houston, Darion Mitchell of Barbe, Kyron Bilbo and Kevin Victorian of LaGrange and Orlando Ramirez and Mike Mayes of Iowa.

Joining Gray on the linebacking corps will be Mark Johnston of St. Louis, Marshall Larocque of South Beauregard, Braylon Victor of Iowa, Dontay Hargrove of Pickering and Kyron Gallien of Washington-Marion.

In the secondary, Cory McCoy of Leesville, Jacobi Taylor of Washington-Marion, Vincent Wilson of LaGrange, Kenon Fontenot of Hamilton Christian, Daniel Eaglin of Westlake and Samuel Whatley will all serve as defensive backs.

LeJeune will serve as the squad’s only punter.

The game is scheduled to be rotated between the Lafayette and Lake Charles area, with Sulphur hosting the first contest.

]]>http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/local-gridiron-standouts-selected-for-i-10-bowl/feed/0I would do it all over againhttp://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/i-would-do-it-all-over-again/
http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/i-would-do-it-all-over-again/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:51:33 +0000http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=40598The Way I See It by Don West

We watched a television movie this past week and the theme allowed the main character to relive a part of her life whereby she chose a different path than the one she actually had lived. Bobbye and I later discussed that fictional possibility and we each offered our opinions on the choice we would make. Of course, the instant reaction we have is, “No, I don’t want to go back and change anything. I am happy with the path I have chosen and would not change it.”

Individually, as distinctly different as each of us is, I think that most would react the same way. However, after some further contemplation, I have to say that I would go back to unsay all of the words that I have uttered when those words hurt someone. Those closest to me know that I have always been one to render an opinion or observation, many times before I have actually thought about it enough to cover all the bases.If I waited to consider all that my words would affect, I would never have uttered my first opinion. That would also be a tragedy because no one would have been able to point out how dumb I can be. No one would have been able to laugh at the stupidity of some of my conclusions and no one would be able to criticize and correct my wrongdoings.

Maybe during this time of the year my thoughts turn to peace through forgiveness and I need forgiving more than most but I know that forgiving can be difficult.I also know that there is a difference between forgiving and condonation. If I have sinned, forgiveness cannot be expected until I have shown remorse and gone to the person whom I sinned against to ask for pardon. If they don’t or won’t forgive me, it is out of my hands, but I have to show remorse by trying to right the wrong. This includes returning any gains that I may have acquired through the sin, be they spiritual, emotional or material. Though I should be able to forgive, I would never condone the sin. Forgiveness does not allow us to return to the sinfulness.

Reflecting on the movie, I would have to say that the paths I have chosen were the right ones for me – not without mishap, not without some regrets, not without heartbreak and happiness, but realizing that life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, spouses and children don’t provide a how-to guide, and wisdom only comes from experience – this life has been pretty good.I think I would do it the same, but hopefully I will get better at life as I move forward from this day.

May your holidays be full of peace, harmony, love and blessings of food, family and God’s grace.

]]>http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/i-would-do-it-all-over-again/feed/0DCFS needs stronger fundinghttp://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/dcfs-needs-stronger-funding/
http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/dcfs-needs-stronger-funding/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:51:00 +0000http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=40596Over the past few years, many important areas in the state have experienced steep cuts due to budget woes.

But something, somehow, needs to be done to aid certain departments.

Children and Family Services (DCFS) Secretary Marketa Garner Walters told the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday without additional funds, “we are not serving children and families well.”

According to the Associated Press, the department is now working with half the budget it had in 2009. Walters said those cuts have hampered agency response to child neglect and child abuse, doubling caseloads and chasing away employees.

The department asked for a $99 million increase in the upcoming 2017-18 budget, a 14 percent increase. Walters says she knows she can’t get such a boost with the state’s dire financial problems, but says it’s her job to describe the problems.

So often DCFS and its workers are criticized because mistreatment of a child is overlooked or children in foster care are not being adequately cared for. Without the proper funds, however, how can we expect DCFS to properly address problems or hope they will hire more workers to ease caseloads?

DCFS deals with much more than child abuse and fostering. It handles child support enforcement, the licensing of child and residential care facilities and more. For a department that handles so many sensitive areas, DCFS is certainly underfunded while its staff is overworked.

It is imperative that our state somehow restore a level of funding to DCFS.

FBC spokesperson Mary Brown said the ceremony has been a tradition of the church for over 30 years.

“It’s something we look forward to every year,” she said. “Usually a community social fellowship is held afterward, however this year, only the ceremony will take place.”

In addition to the lighting of the Christmas tree, visitors attending the ceremony will be allowed to light a candle. Guests will then have the opportunity to reflect on the past year and share their thoughts on how their lives have been affected by Christ in 2016.

]]>http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/church-hosts-annual-tree-lighting-ceremony/feed/0JDSO holds Fall 2016 DARE graduationhttp://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/jdso-holds-fall-2016-dare-graduation/
http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/jdso-holds-fall-2016-dare-graduation/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:50:20 +0000http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=40591Over 200 fifth grade students received a certificate of completion for the 2016 Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office (JDSO) Fall DARE Graduation ceremony Tuesday morning, held at the Jennings Elementary School (JES) auditorium. Students from Fenton Elementary School (FES), Welsh Elementary School (WES), Lacassine Elementary School (LES), Elton Elementary School (EES) and Our Lady Immaculate (OLI) were recognized, and the winners of the essay contest were also announced.

The overall parish winner for the DARE essay contest was Kain Fulton of LES. Fulton won a back pack full of DARE items, as well as a bike.

Class essay winners included Jaya Gradney and Taylor Talbott, with Allyson Treme as the overall school winner for FES. Class winners for OLI were Carli Ardon and Clara Fontenot, with Michael O’Brien as the school winner. LES class winners were Allie Himel and Fulton. Fulton was also the LES school winner. Class winners for EES were Khamyra Gobert and Jamarsha Lacomb, with Ava Fruge as the school winner. WES class winners were Lily McCreary and Kenzie vanNess, with Torrie Burrell as the school winner.

Guest speaker Pastor Clifton LeJeune has fun with a student while talking with youth about the dangers of certain activities and behaviors.

]]>http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/jdso-holds-fall-2016-dare-graduation/feed/0Lake Arthur moves forward with improvementshttp://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/lake-arthur-moves-forward-with-improvements/
http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/lake-arthur-moves-forward-with-improvements/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:49:18 +0000http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=40589LAKE ARTHUR – Wednesday, the council approved hiring Aucoin and Associates for the Lake Street water line improvements and advertising for bids for the project.

“The condition of Lake Street right now is bad,” Lake Arthur Mayor Robbie Bertrand said. “There are potholes all over the road and there’s leaks in the old water line, so we finally said we have to do something about that.”

Bertrand said the Lake Street project will include changing the water line between Arthur Avenue all the way to New Orleans Avenue. The street will also receive a new surface.

The town will pay an estimated $193,000 for the water line portion of the project and $165,000 for the overlay of the road.

“It’s an expensive project but it needs to be done,” Bertrand said. “But it will be done right and we won’t have to worry about it again. There are adequate funds to cover the cost of these projects. The money is there and these improvements are necessary.”

After Louisiana Department of Hospitals (LDH) determined the town’s water storage tank needed to be replaced, it will be swapped with two wells, according to Mayor Carolyn Louviere.

Bonding attorney Alan Offner told the mayor and Board of Aldermen in a Tuesday meeting that the town could seek a $90,000 loan from LDH. He said a 2.54 percent interest rate on the loan is a good number, and LDH would also forgive 20 percent of indebtedness.

Aldermen backed a resolution to issue taxable utilities revenue bonds to help pay for the project. Offner said the bonds would mature for up to 22 years.

A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 7.

Meanwhile, aldermen also authorized the mayor to move forth in securing $206,650 through a Louisiana Community Block Grant. That money will be used to replace a sewer pipe that crosses Bayou Lacassine.

Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission presented the first ever Agriculture Impact Award to Kabir Ahmad of IFG Port Holdings for making outstanding contributions to the agriculture industry in Jeff Davis Parish. The award was presented in a meeting held at Cajun Tales Seafood Restaurant in Welsh Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs. Tatum was preceded in death by her husband, Eskel Leonard Tatum; her parents, Elmer Edward and Cora Withers Wilson; her brother, Robert Edward Wilson and wife, Mary; and her daughter, Martha Evenly Tatum Jordan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, 901 South Vienna Street, Ruston, LA 71270.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com

]]>http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/marcella-wilson-tatum/feed/0Write to Santa via JDNhttp://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/write-to-santa-via-jdn/
http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2016/12/write-to-santa-via-jdn/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 17:08:13 +0000http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=40579Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus … and he just so happens to subscribe to Jennings Daily News (JDN).

Each year, JDN assists Santa in his busiest time of year by delivering the letters of local children so that they may be published in upcoming special editions of your hometown newspaper.

With the help of the United States Postal Service and the people right here at the Jennings Post Office, the big red mailbox outside the JDN office is a direct line of communication to Santa Claus in the North Pole. One of the elves called this week and said it is time to get those letters rolling in, so here we go.

The letters can either be brought to the JDN at 238 North Market Street in Jennings, or mailed to the newspaper office at P.O. Box 910, Jennings, LA, 70546. You can also email letters to editor@jenningsdailynews.net.

Once the letters are collected in the mailbox by the local postman, they will be typed and forwarded to the North Pole. The letters will also reach Santa’s eye via JDN, as Father Christmas has his own complimentary subscription (he reads Police Report every Sunday to keep up with who’s been naughty).

So, get your youngster, classroom or daycare facility to write letters to Santa Claus and drop them in the big red mailbox located in front of the Jennings Daily News office. Christmas is nearing, so the time is now for the youngsters to begin making their Christmas wishes known.

Help us help Santa again this year … start writing those letters and get them to the JDN office as soon as possible.